NAPLES - A wonderful game at the San Paolo ended 4-2: the Nerazzurri - down to ten men - go home empty-handed.
Mazzarri picked a three-man defence against his former side, selecting Campagnaro, Ranocchia and Rolando in front of Handanovic. Jonathan and Nagatomo provided the width in the midfield, with Taider, Cambiasso and Alvarez in the middle. Guarin supported lone striker Palacio.
Napoli took the lead after nine minutes: Inler clipped the ball forward, Nagatomo headed the ball out but it dropped invitingly for Higuain who smashed a volley into the far corner. The Azzurri had a great chance to double their lead on 25 minutes but Insigne struck the angle of post and bar.
Inter could have drawn level on the half-hour: Palacio volleyed over the top however. Five minutes later though, the Nerazzurri were back on terms. Cambiasso had time to pick his spot in the middle of the area.
The hosts regained the lead four minutes later, as Mertens curled a neat finish past Handanovic. 2-1 became 3-1 just before the break. Handanovic failed to hold Mertens' effort and Dzemaili was on hand to find the back of the net.
The Nerazzurri though just kept on coming. Two minutes into added time the ball was diverted into Nagatomo's path and he slotted home. The first half came to a close with the scoreline Napoli 3-2 Inter.
The visitors very nearly equalised on 66 minutes. Guarin was denied by a terrific save from Rafael, following Palacio's delicious centre. Alvarez was dismissed for a second yellow with 18 minutes to play. Tagliavento harshly left Inter playing the rest of the game with ten men.
The Azzurri made it 4-2 nine minutes from time: Insigne crossed for Callejon from the left and the Spaniard just had to tap the ball home. Pandev, on in stoppage time, drew a penalty from Ranocchia. He stepped up to take it himself but Handanovic made a brilliant save to deny him.
Napoli 4-2 Inter (HT: 3-2)
Scorers: Higuain 9, Cambiasso 35, Mertens 39, Dzemaili 41, Nagatomo 45+1, Callejon 81.
Napoli: 1 Rafael, 2 Reveillere (Pandev 90+1), 7 Callejon, 9 Higuain (Behrami 77), 11 Maggio, 14 Mertens (Armero 85), 20 Dzemaili, 21 Fernandez, 24 Insigne, 33 Albiol, 88 Inler.
Subs not used: 15 Colombo, 25 Reina, 3 Uvini, 5 Britos, 13 Bariti, 22 Radosevic, 28 Cannavaro, 91 Zapata.
Coach: Rafa Benitez.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 14 Campagnaro (Icardi 82), 23 Ranocchia, 35 Rolando; 2 Jonathan, 21 Taider (Kovacic 61), 19 Cambiasso, 11 Alvarez, 55 Nagatomo; 13 Guarin; 8 Palacio.
Subs not used: 12 Castellazzi, 30 Carrizo, 4 Zanetti, 5 Juan Jesus, 6 Andreolli, 7 Belfodil, 16 Mudingayi, 17 Kuzmanovic, 18 Wallace, 31 Pereira.
Coach: Walter Mazzarri.
Referee: Tagliavento.
Booked: Insigne 29, Inler 32, Alvarez 46, 71, Ranocchia 90+2.
Sent off: Alvarez 71.
Added time: 2+5 minutes.
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